Accelerator pedal override apparatus for self-propelled motorized cart with aligned brake and accelerator pushrod type operator pedals

ABSTRACT

A motorized cart apparatus includes a cart frame having front and rear portions and a wheel base defined by a pair of front steerable wheels and a pair of rear wheels. A seat is positioned between the front and rear wheels and a motor drive or engine positioned at the rear end portion of the frame behind the seat an adjacent the rear wheels. Brake and accelerator pedals are positioned side by side at the front of the cart inside the front wheels and on opposite sides of the steering column, and inclined steering rod that extends from the frame upwardly toward the user. A throttle cable controls the motor. The throttle cable is activated by a pushrod extending between the accelerator pedal and the engine. A brake pushrod extends between the brake pedal and rear brake so that when the brake pedal is depressed, the pushrod activates the brake. A linkage extending from the brake pushrod to the throttle returns the throttle to an idle position when the brake pedal and accelerator are simultaneously depressed as when the car driver panics. An alternate embodiment provides a contact switch that is activated by the brake and brake pushrod. The contact switch is connected to a solenoid via an electrical wire that signals the solenoid to activate when the brake pedal and brake pushrod are moved as during braking. The solenoid has a pushrod that rotates the governor to an engine idle position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/789,556, filed Jan. 27, 1997, which is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/577,842, filed Dec. 22, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,048, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/370,107, filed Jan. 9, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,940, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to small wheel self-propelled carts, commonly referred to by the slang term "go-karts". Such small powered carts are commonly used on tracks set up at fairs, fun parks, and resort areas but are also used by young people off-road. "Go-Karts" typically include an elongated chassis that is spaced a short distance (6-8 inches) from the underlying surface, powered by a small rear engine placed behind a seat that is positioned at the middle of the chassis and where a pair of pedals have pushrods that extend along the left and right sides of the chassis centerline respectively to activate an aft vehicle brake and the accelerator of the rear mounted engine. More particularly the present invention relates to an improved small motorized, self-propelled cart that includes a safety feature in the form of an override activated by a brake pushrod extending between the brake pedal and the rear brake for returning the engine to idle speed (or maintaining at idle) whenever the user depresses the brake--even in situations where the user depresses both the brake and the accelerator pedals simultaneously.

2. General Background

Small powered, self-propelled karts have been sold for many years, typically using a metallic chassis having four small wheels about twelve inches (12") in diameter, a relatively small internal combustion engaging (for example 5-10 horsepower) positioned at the rear of the chassis, a seat positioned just aft the middle of the chassis and a steering wheel assembly that extends from the front of the chassis up to the user.

These go-karts provide a pair of pedals that include a left brake pedal and a right accelerator pedal closely positioned together at the front of the vehicle. The pedals activate pushrods which control respectively the accelerator and brake. A common go-kart arrangement a left forward brake pedal that activates a brake pushrod, the pushrod engaging a rear brake band that tightens against a drum on the rear left wheel. The right forward pedal provides an accelerator pedal that activates a pushrod for operating a retractable cable to increase the speed of the engine from idle to higher running speeds.

One of the problems with go-karts of this type is the problem of user panic when an object such as a tree, fence, wall or the like is quickly presented to the user in a panic situation. This can be a common problem, especially with younger people and first time users. Parents often purchase go-carts for children that are to young to obtain a driver's license. The cart functions as their first vehicle. Therefore, such carts are primarily used off-road where trees, fences, houses, and the like must be reckoned with.

When the operator of a go-kart panics (or if the user is new or inexperienced), a possible reaction is the depression of the accelerator pedal rather than the brake pedal. Sometimes, the user can panic and depress both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal. Sometimes, this instant of adverse reaction can cause the user to loose control or to hit an object that otherwise could have been avoided by turning or braking.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves this prior art problem user panic by providing a safety override system for go-karts that have closely positioned brake and accelerator pedals which are activated by the user and which depressed pushrods that extend the full length of the vehicle chassis. In karts of this type, the pushrods extend to the rear of the vehicle and operate respectively a brake arrangement on the left for example and an accelerator arrangement on the right.

The present invention provides a safety override apparatus for such go-kart devices that returns the engine to idle speed whenever the user depresses the brake pedal and even in situations where the user simultaneously depresses the brake and the accelerator pedals. This solves a prior art problem that has plagued go-karts by returning the vehicle engine to idle speed whenever the brake pedal is depressed, and even when both brake and accelerator are depressed.

The apparatus of the present invention thus includes a chassis having front and rear wheels and left and right pedals positioned adjacent one another at the front of the chassis. A chassis includes a steering wheel with an inclined steering rod that extends upwardly in an inclined position relative to the chassis and presenting the steering wheel to the user's arm and chest area.

The brake pedal is on the left side of the chassis, to the left of the steering rod. The accelerator pedal is positioned to the right of the steering rod at the right front of the chassis. Each of the brake and the accelerator pedals has a pushrod associated therewith. Each of the pushrods extends the full length of the chassis, to a position adjacent the rear axle. The brake pushrod activates a brake that engages the left rear wheel. The right pushrod communicates with an accelerator linkage that operates the engine throttle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the rear brake, brake pushrod and override cable;

FIG. 5 is another fragmentary perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the override linkage at the engine;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary end view of the of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating a portion of the override linkage;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side view of the of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating a portion of the override linkage;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the rear brake, brake pushrod and override cable; and

FIG. 9 is another fragmentary perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the override linkage at the engine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 10.

Self propelled go-kart apparatus 10 includes an elongated chassis 11 that sits relatively close to the underlying ground surface such as for example about 6-8 inches from the underlying ground. The chassis 11 has a pair of front wheels 12, 13 that are steerable. A pair of rear wheels 14, 15 are also provided, mounted on a rear axle. The left rear wheel 14 has a brake drum and a brake band that encircles the drum. When the user depresses the brake pedal, a pushrod tightens the brake band about the drum in a manner known in the art.

A steering wheel/steering rod assembly extends from the front end portion of the chassis 11 upwardly along an inclined path presenting a steering wheel to the user's arms and chest area as is known in the art. Pedals 17, 18 are provided on opposite sides of the steering wheel assembly 16. The brake pedal 17 is a pedal positioned on the left side of the steering wheel assembly 16. The accelerator pedal 18 is positioned on the right side of the steering wheel assembly 16. Each of the pedals 17, 18 is pivotally attached to chassis 11 at 19, 20 respectively.

An engine E is positioned behind the users seat S. The brake can be a common band and drum type positioned at the left rear wheel 14. In order to communicate between the brake and accelerator pedals 17, 18 respectively and appropriate brake and accelerator linkage, a pair of pushrods are provided. Brake pushrod 21 extends from brake pedal 17 to brake band 23 (see FIG. 3). The present invention can be used with other brake arrangements used on go-karts such as disk, or the band engaging the axel.

Accelerator pushrod 22 extends from accelerator pedal 18 to the accelerator cable 46. Accelerator cable 46 communicates with an engine throttles to accelerate the engine from an initial idle position when the accelerator pedal 18 is released to running speeds when the accelerator pedal 18 is depressed. It should be understood that this general configuration of chassis 11, wheels 12-15, accelerator and brake pedals 19, 20, steering assembly 16, pushrods 21-22, brake 23 and engine E are known in the art. Go-karts having this overall construction have been sold for many years by Brister's Thunder Karts, Inc. of Roseland, Louisiana. Federal Trademark Registration No. 1,213,229 issued to Brister's Thunder Karts, Inc. contains a date of first use for the sale of such carts of Aug. 1, 1976.

A user can panic in certain situations, typically when using such a motorized cart in close proximity to trees, fences, or buildings. When confronted with an obstruction, the user can panic and sometimes depresses the accelerator pedal 18 when in fact the user should depress the brake pedal 17. A user can also panic and inadvertently press the accelerator pedal 18 at the same time that the user depresses the brake pedal 17. Sometimes, an inexperienced or new driver will depress the brake pedal 17 and the accelerator pedal 18.

In order to avoid a collision, the present invention provides an improved motorized cart apparatus 10 that returns the vehicle engine E to idle speed (or maintains idle speed) whenever the brake pedal is depressed and notwithstanding the fact that the user has simultaneously depressed the accelerator pedal 18.

In FIGS. 1 and 4, the brake pushrod 21 is shown having a proximal end 29 and a distal end 28. The distal end 28 is positioned adjacent the vehicle brake band 23 that is associated with the left rear wheel 14. In FIG. 4, brake pushrod 21 at its distal end 28 provides a transverse rod 27 that engages one end of brake band 23.

The brake band 23 encircles a drum (not shown) associated with the left rear wheel. It is known in the art to brake a go-kart using brake band 23 that encircles a drum associated with a rear wheel. Therefore, this brake band, drum and rear wheel assembly is somewhat schematically represented in FIG. 4.

Brake band 23 is supported upon a brake band support rod 26 that is affixed to chassis 11 by welding for example. Transverse rod 27 travels with the pushrod 21 distal end 28 so that when the user depresses the brake pedal 17, the transverse rod 27 tightens the brake band 23 against the drum in order to brake the vehicle.

A vertically extending and longitudinally extending flange 30 is secured at weldment 31 to pushrod distal end 28 as shown in FIG. 4. The flange 30 provides an opening 32 for attaching coil spring 33 thereto. Coil spring 33 includes a pair of spaced apart end portions in the form of hooks 34, 35. One of the hooks 34 engages opening 32 of flange 30. The other hook 35 engages opening 38 on flange 37 of connector 36. Connector 36 forms a connection between flange 30 and inner cable 40, a retractable cable having an outer cable 41. Set screw 39 can be used to rigidly affix inner cable 40 to connector 36 as shown in FIG. 3. Outer cable 41 is attached to cable support 44 using hex fitting 43. Such hex fittings 43 are commercially available.

In FIGS. 2-7, fragmentary views illustrate more particularly the override feature of the apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 2, there is schematically seen vehicle chassis 11 with brake band 23 extending about brake drum 47 at the rear of the vehicle. The user depresses the pedal 17 which also moves band 21 forward pivoting lever 48 about pivot 49 and pulling on a retractable cable 51 that is attached at opening 50 to the top of the lever 48. The retractable cable then overrides the engine E governor by pulling on governor spring 54 to return the governor 52 to an idle position. In this fashion, a depression of the brake 17 overrides the governor 52 and its spring 54 so that the governor pulls the engine throttle to idle speed. FIG. 2 shows an arrangement that could be used with a Techumseh® model HS50 five horsepower engine (EXE20654-4040), having a governor pivotally mounted to the engine block. This arrangement can similarly be used with the Honda 5.5 horsepower engine model GX160KI. These model numbers are exemplary. Other manufacturers and model numbers can be fitted with the apparatus of the present invention by one skilled in the art.

The top of the governor has a link arm (not shown) that interfaces with the carburetor assembly. When cable 51 pulls the top of the governor, this overrides the governor spring to return the engine E to idle speed.

In FIGS. 3-7, a more particularly illustrated version of the apparatus 10 of the present invention as shown with reference to a Briggs & Stratton Five Horsepower Engine, Model Nos. 135202 and 136212. Owner's Manual for the models 135202 and 136212 are published by Briggs & Stratton Corporation of Milwaukee, Wis. The Owner's Manual shows the engine parts and carburetor connections in detail. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3-7, the retractable cable 41 shown in FIG. 4 has an opposing end portion that connects to the engine E at carburetor assembly C. Cable 41 is clamped to carburetor assembly C using cable clamp 55 and bolt 58 that threadably attaches to the carburetor at an internally threaded opening not shown. Carburetor assembly C includes a butterfly valve 57 that pivotally attaches to the carburetor assembly C at pivot 58.

Link 59 extends between butterfly valve 57 and rotating member 61. Link 59 is an elongated metallic pushrod for example that is typically provided with the Briggs & Stratton engine and attaches in the manner shown in FIG. 3 to opening 60 in butterfly valve 57 and to opening 63 in flange 62 of rotating member 61. The rotating member 61 has been modified and thus has a different configuration than the configuration of a similar rotating member found on the Briggs and Stratton Engine Model No. 135202.

In FIG. 3, rotating member 61 includes flanges 62, 67 and 64. The flange 64 is not found on the commercially sold Briggs & Stratton Engine Model No. 135202 but rather as been added as a modification in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. Flange 64 has an opening 65 that receives the inner cable 40 portion of retractable cable 41. The same inner cable 40 is shown in FIG. 4 attaching to connector 36 which is secured with coil spring 33 to flange 30 and brake pushrod 21 as shown in the Figure.

The end of inner cable 40 that attaches to flange 64 has an enlarged button portion 66 so that when the user depresses the vehicle 10 brake pedal 17, pushrod 21 pulls in a forward direction pulling retractable cable inner cable 40 and rotating flange 64 in the direction shown as arrow 73 in FIG. 7. This also rotates the rotating member 61 about its central rotational axis 71 and thus moves that flange 67 upwardly as shown by the arrow 72 in FIG. 7 and further rotates the flange 62 clockwise in the direction of arrow 74 pulling link 74 and returning butterfly valve 57 to an idle position. Additionally, the flange 67 pulls upwardly in the direction of arrow 62 urging pushrod 69 upwardly.

The pushrod 69 or link member attaches at opening 68 to flange 67. An S-shaped end portion 70 can be provided as shown in FIG. 5 for forming a connection between flange 67 and link member 69. The lower end portion of link member 69 attaches to governor 75 at opening 76.

In FIG. 5, the governor 75 is shown pivotally mounted at pivot 76 to the engine block of engine E. This is the normal position of the governor 76 and the governor spring 77 on a Briggs & Stratton model 135202 five horsepower engine. Further, on the Briggs & Stratton model 135202 engine link arm 69 typically extends from opening 78 in governor 75 to the opening 68 in flange 67 as shown in FIGS. 5-7.

Also shown in FIG. 5 is the connection of accelerator cable 46 to engine E. The cable 46 attaches at cable support 79 to engine E using a bolted connection 80. Cable 46 has an inner cable 84 that forms a connection with accelerator link 81. The link 81 attaches to return spring 82. The return spring 82 is mounted to spring support 83 that is connected to the engine E. In this fashion, when a user depresses the accelerator pedal 18, the user also moves the accelerator pushrod 22 in a forward direction as shown by the arrow 85 in FIG. 1. This moves the inner cable 84 in a forward direction as shown by the arrow 86 in FIG. 5. The inner cable 84 then pulls the accelerator link 81 in the direction of arrow 86. When the user releases the accelerator pedal 18, return spring 82 pulls the link 81 and inner cable 84 to an initial starting position. Even when the user depresses the accelerator pedal, the engine returns to idle speed if a user simultaneously depresses the brake pedal 17. With the Briggs & Stratton model 135202 engine, the cable 41 and its inner cable 40 pulls flange 64 of rotating member 61 so that governor 75 is rotated upwardly about its pivot 76 as indicated by the arrow 87 in FIG. 5. The inner cable 40 rotates that rotating member 61 so that the pushrod 69 moves upwardly in the direction of arrow 72. This pulls the governor 75 upwardly and about pivot 76 because the pushrod 69 is connected to governor 75 at opening 78. This action also overcomes an tension supplied by the governor spring 77 because the cable 40 is foot activated and applies sufficient pressure to overcome the spring 77. Thus, the rotating member pulls the governor 75 and the butterfly valve 57 to idle position, even though the user might be at the same time depressing the brake pedal 17 and the accelerator pedal 18.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 90 in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Cart and throttle override apparatus 90 is similarly mounted to the cart frame adjacent brake pad 23 as with the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 7. Thus, the brake pushrod 21 provides a flange 30 that is attached to the pushrod 21 with weldment 31 as shown in FIG. 8. As with the preferred embodiment, a coil spring 33 having opposed hook portions 34, 35 is provided. As with the preferred embodiment, the hook 34 forms a connection with flange 30 as shown in FIG. 8. The hook 35 forms a connection with contact switch 91 at its moving member 92. The contact switch 91 sends an electrical signal line 95 when the user depresses the brake pedal 17 which pulls brake pushrod 21, flange 30, and spring 33. This moves the moving member 92 away from contact switch housing 91A causing the switch to activate. The contact switch housing 91A can be mounted to the part frame at attachment 94 for example. Hook 35 attaches to moving member 92 at opening 93. The contact switch is used to activate a solenoid 96 that is mounted adjacent governor 95.

In the arrangement of FIGS. 8-9, the governor 95, rotating member 61, link 72, accelerator cable 86, accelerator link 81, and return spring 82, are the same in FIG. 9 as they are for the preferred embodiment of FIG. 5. The difference is that the solenoid 96 in FIG. 9 has a pushrod 97 that rotates the governor 75 in the direction of arrow 98 when the contact switch 91 is energized by depressing the brake pedal 17 and moving the pushrod 21 in the direction of arrow 102 in FIG. 8. The solenoid 96 is attached to bracket 99 at connection 100.

Bracket 99 can be a C-shaped bracket as shown in FIG. 9 providing an attachment (e.g., weld, rivet, bolt, etc.) at 101 to the engine E. The solenoid 96 can be provided with a wire to receive a supply of electrical power from the engine ignition or battery. When the pushrod 97 moves upwardly, it rotates the governor 75 in direction of arrow 98. This puts the engine E back at idle speed. When the user simultaneously depresses the brake and accelerator as in a panic situation, the contact switch 91 is activated, sending an electrical signal via electrical line 95 to solenoid 96. This signal activates the solenoid 96 to extend its pushrod 97. Pushrod 97 rotates the governor 75 in the direction of arrow 98 to an idling position for the engine E.

As with the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the alternate embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 similarly provides an improved method and apparatus for protecting a motorized cart and its driver from collision when the brake pedal 17 and accelerator pedal 18 are simultaneously depressed as when the cart driver panics.

The following table lists the parts numbers and parts descriptions as used herein and in the drawings attached hereto.

    ______________________________________     PARTS LIST     Part Number     Description     ______________________________________     C               carburetor     E               engine      10             self propelled cart apparatus      11             chassis      12             front wheel      13             front wheel      14             rear wheel      15             rear wheel      16             steering wheel      17             brake pedal      18             accelerator pedal      19             pivot      20             pivot      21             brake pushrod      22             accelerator pushrod      23             brake band      24             rear axle      25             spring      26             band support rod      27             transverse rod      28             pushrod distal end      29             pushrod proximal end      30             flange      31             weldment      32             opening      33             coil spring      34             hook      35             hook      36             connector      37             flange      38             opening      39             set screw      40             inner cable      41             outer cable      42             cable end portion      43             hex fitting      44             cable support      45             vertical flange      46             accelerator cable      47             brake drum      48             lever      49             pivot      50             opening      51             retractable cable      52             governor      53             pivot      54             coil spring      55             cable clamp      56             bolt      57             butterfly valve      58             pivot      59             link      60             opening      61             rotating member      62             flange      63             opening      64             flange      65             opening      66             enlarged end      67             flange      68             opening      69             link      70             s-shaped end portion      71             center of rotation      72             arrow      73             arrow      74             arrow      75             governor      76             pivot      77             governor spring      78             opening      79             cable holder      80             bolted connection      81             accelerator link      82             return spring      83             spring support      84             inner cable      85             arrow      86             arrow      87             arrow      90             cart throttle override                     apparatus      91             contact switch      91A            housing      92             moving member      93             opening      94             attachment      95             electrical line      96             solenoid      97             pushrod      98             arrow      99             bracket     100             connection     101             connection     ______________________________________

Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

What is claimed as invention is:
 1. A method of protecting motorized cart and its driver from a collision when the brake pedal and accelerator are simultaneously depressed as when the cart driver panics, comprising the steps of:a) providing a brake on at least one of the rear wheels of the motorized cart for braking at least one of the rear wheels; b) using a throttle for controlling a cart motor drive; c) providing a pair of movable pedals positioned on the frame in front of a cart seat at the front end position of the frame, adjacent the front wheels, each of the pedals being inclined relative during use and positioned to be operated by the driver's feet, one of the pedals defining an accelerator pedal, the other pedal defining a brake pedal; d) using a brake pushrod that extends from the brake pedal to the brake for operating the brake so that when the brake pedal is depressed, the brake pedal pushrod activates the brake; e) using a throttle pushrod that extends from the accelerator pedal to the throttle for operating the throttle so that when the accelerator pedal is depressed, the throttle is activated; f) automatically placing the engine throttle in the idle position when the brake pedal and accelerator are simultaneously depressed as when the cart driver panics.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein step "f" includes rotating a member mounted on the motor drive to place the throttle in the idle position, wherein a solenoid is activated to rotate the rotating member.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein step "a" includes tightening a brake band about a brake drum during braking.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the cart has a steering rod and step "c" includes positioning the pedals on opposite sides of the steering rod.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein motor drive includes an engine governor, and step "f" includes extending a linkage that includes a flexible cable from the brake pushrod to the engine governor.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the linkage includes a rotating member on the motor drive, a plurality of links extending from the rotating member in respective horizontal and vertical directions including a horizontal and vertical link, and a flexible cable extending from the brake pushrod to the rotating member, and further comprising the step of rotating the rotating member with the flexible cable when the brake pedal is depressed. 